Exhaust stack having a co-axial silencer

ABSTRACT

An exhaust stack includes an inlet section extending along a first axis and an outlet section extending along a second axis. A co-axial silencer is arranged in one of the inlet section and outlet section. The co-axial silencer includes a plurality of concentric baffles configured and disposed to absorb acoustics generated by fluid flow through the exhaust stack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the art of exhaust stacksand, more particularly, to an exhaust stack having a co-axial silencer.

In general, exhaust stacks are fluidically connected to an internalcombustion engine, a furnace or other system that produces exhaustgases. The exhaust stack delivers the exhaust gases from the system toambient. In some cases, the exhaust stack includes filters that entrapparticulate in the exhaust gases. The exhaust stack may be sized toaffect a cooling of the exhaust gases prior to being expelled toambient. In some cases, the exhaust stack includes a silencer thatabsorbs sounds produced by flowing exhaust gases. The silencer includesa plurality of sound absorbing baffles arranged in parallel along a flowpath of the exhaust stack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, an exhaust stackincludes an inlet section extending along a first axis and an outletsection extending along a second axis. A co-axial silencer is arrangedin one of the inlet section and outlet section. The co-axial silencerincludes a plurality of concentric baffles configured and disposed toabsorb acoustics generated by fluid flow through the exhaust stack.

According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a turbomachineincludes a compressor portion and a turbine portion operativelyconnected to the compressor portion. The turbine portion includes anexhaust outlet. A combustor assembly includes at least one combustorfluidically connected to the compressor portion and the turbine portion.An exhaust stack is fluidically connected to the exhaust outlet of theturbine portion. The exhaust stack includes an inlet section extendingalong a first axis and an outlet section extending along a second axis.A co-axial silencer is arranged in one of the inlet section and outletsection. The co-axial silencer includes a plurality of concentricbaffles configured and disposed to absorb acoustics generated by fluidflow through the exhaust stack.

According to yet another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, aturbomachine includes a compressor portion, and a turbine portionoperatively connected to the compressor portion. The turbine portionincludes an exhaust outlet. A combustor assembly includes at least onecombustor fluidically connected to the compressor portion and theturbine portion. A generator is operatively connected to the compressorportion. An exhaust stack is fluidically connected to the exhaust outletof the turbine portion. The exhaust stack includes an inlet sectionextending along a first axis and an outlet section extending along asecond axis. A co-axial silencer is arranged in one of the inlet sectionand outlet section. The co-axial silencer includes a plurality ofconcentric baffles configured and disposed to absorb acoustics generatedby fluid flow through the exhaust stack.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of a turbomachine system including anexhaust stack having a co-axial silencer, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exhaust stack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a co-axial silencer, in accordance withan aspect of the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the co-axial silencer of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a co-axial silencer, inaccordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exhaust stack having a co-axialsilencer arranged in accordance with another aspect of an exemplaryembodiment.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, togetherwith advantages and features, by way of example with reference to thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A turbomachine system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, isindicated generally at 2, in FIG. 1. Turbomachine system 2 includes aturbomachine 3 having a compressor portion 4 operatively connected to aturbine portion 6 through a common compressor/turbine shaft 8.Compressor portion 4 is also fluidically connected to turbine portion 6through a combustor assembly 10 having one or more combustors 12.Compressor portion 4 includes a compressor inlet 16 that is fluidicallyconnected to an air intake system 18. Compressor portion 4 may also beconnected to a generator 20. Of course, the particular connection ofgenerator 20 to turbomachine 2 may vary. Turbine portion 6 includes aturbine portion outlet 22 that delivers exhaust gas to an exhaust stack30.

As shown in FIG. 2, exhaust stack 30 includes a base section 35 havingan inlet section 38 and an outlet section 40. Inlet section 38 extendsalong a first axis 42. Outlet section 40 extends along a second axis 44that is generally perpendicular to first axis 42. Inlet section 38extends from a first end 48 to a second end 49 that is coupled to basesection 35. First end 48 includes an opening 50 that receives exhaustgas from turbine portion outlet 22. Outlet section 40 extends from afirst end 54 to a second end 55. First end 54 of outlet section 40 iscoupled to base section 35 and second end 55 is provided with an opening56. A transition section 60 is arranged between base section 35 andoutlet section 40. Transition section 60 provides an interface between agenerally rectangular section (base section 35) and a generally tubularsection (outlet section 40). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,exhaust stack 30 includes a co-axial silencer 70 arranged along inletsection 38.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, co-axial silencer 70 includes a plurality ofconcentric baffles 74 that are arranged about a central member 78.Concentric baffles 74 are spaced one, from another, and from centralmember 78, to form a plurality of generally annular flow passages, oneof which is indicated at 80. Central member 78 is formed from anacoustic attenuating material. Co-axial silencer 70 extends from a firstend 83 to a second end 84. First end 83 defines an inlet 85 and secondend 84 defines an outlet 86. In the exemplary embodiment shown, eachconcentric baffle 74 and central member 78 are generally circular andinclude a substantially constant cross-section. More specifically, adiameter of concentric baffles 74 is generally consistent between firstand second ends 83 and 84.

FIG. 5 illustrates a co-axial silencer 90 in accordance with anotheraspect of the exemplary embodiment. Co-axial silencer 90 includes aplurality of concentric baffles 92 that are arranged about a centralmember 94. Concentric baffles 92 are spaced one, from another, and fromcentral member 94, to form a plurality of generally annular flowpassages, one of which is indicated at 96. Co-axial silencer 90 extendsfrom a first end 98 to a second end 99. First end 98 defines an inlet104 and second end 99 defines an outlet 105. In the exemplary embodimentshown, each concentric baffle 92 and central member 94 taper outwardlyfrom first end 98 to second end 99. More specifically, a diameter ofco-axial silencer 90 at first end 98 is less than a diameter at secondend 99.

At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodimentsdescribe a co-axial silencer for an exhaust stack. A co-axial silencer,in accordance with the exemplary embodiments, leads to a lower pressuredrop across an exhaust diffuser which provides enhanced turbomachinesystem performance. In addition to a lower pressure drop, the co-axialsilencer has a smaller footprint while also providing an increase ineffective sound attenuation surfaces by virtue of the concentricbaffles. The reduced footprint enables an exhaust stack to have ashorter height without sacrificing performance. Further, it should beunderstood that while shown arranged at the inlet section, the co-axialsilencer, in accordance with any of the embodiments, may be arrangedalong the outlet section, as shown in FIG. 6, wherein like referencenumbers represent corresponding parts in the respective views. Also,while shown and described as being fluidically connected to aturbomachine system, the exhaust stack, with co-axial silencer, may beused in a wide range of systems spanning any number of technologies.Finally, while shown and described as being generally circular, theco-axial silencer may take on a variety of geometries including oblong,oval, elliptical, rectangular, and the like.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, butis only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exhaust stack comprising: an inlet sectionextending along a first axis; an outlet section extending along a secondaxis; and a co-axial silencer arranged in one of the inlet section andoutlet section, the co-axial silencer including a plurality ofconcentric baffles configured and disposed to absorb acoustics generatedby fluid flow through the exhaust stack.
 2. The exhaust stack accordingto claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of concentric baffles includesa substantially constant diameter.
 3. The exhaust stack according toclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of concentric baffles taper froma first end to a second end.
 4. The exhaust stack according to claim 3,wherein each of the plurality of concentric baffles taper outwardly fromthe first end to the second end.
 5. The exhaust stack according to claim4, wherein the first end defines an inlet of the co-axial silencer. 6.The exhaust stack according to claim 1, wherein the plurality ofconcentric baffles extend about a central member.
 7. The exhaust stackaccording to claim 6, wherein the central member is formed from anacoustic attenuating material.
 8. The exhaust stack according to claim6, wherein the central member includes a substantially constantdiameter.
 9. The exhaust stack according to claim 1, wherein theco-axial silencer is arranged in the inlet section.
 10. The exhauststack according to claim 1, wherein the co-axial silencer is arranged inthe outlet section.
 11. A turbomachine comprising: a compressor portion;a turbine portion operatively connected to the compressor portion, theturbine portion including an exhaust outlet; a combustor assemblyincluding at least one combustor fluidically connected to the compressorportion and the turbine portion; and an exhaust stack fluidicallyconnected to the exhaust outlet of the turbine portion, the exhauststack comprising: an inlet section extending along a first axis; anoutlet section extending along a second axis; and a co-axial silencerarranged in one of the inlet section and outlet section, the co-axialsilencer including a plurality of concentric baffles configured anddisposed to absorb acoustics generated by fluid flow through the exhauststack.
 12. The turbomachine according to claim 11, wherein each of theplurality of concentric baffles includes a substantially constantdiameter.
 13. The turbomachine according to claim 11, wherein each ofthe plurality of concentric baffles taper from a first end to a secondend.
 14. The turbomachine according to claim 13, wherein each of theplurality of concentric baffles taper outwardly from the first end tothe second end.
 15. The turbomachine according to claim 11, wherein theco-axial silencer is arranged in the inlet section.
 16. A turbomachinesystem comprising: a compressor portion; a turbine portion operativelyconnected to the compressor portion, the turbine portion including anexhaust outlet; a combustor assembly including at least one combustorfluidically connected to the compressor portion and the turbine portion;a generator operatively connected to the compressor portion; and anexhaust stack fluidically connected to the exhaust outlet of the turbineportion, the exhaust stack comprising: an inlet section extending alonga first axis; an outlet section extending along a second axis; and aco-axial silencer arranged in one of the inlet section and outletsection, the co-axial silencer including a plurality of concentricbaffles configured and disposed to absorb acoustics generated by fluidflow through the exhaust stack.
 17. The turbomachine system according toclaim 16, wherein each of the plurality of concentric baffles includes asubstantially constant diameter.
 18. The turbomachine system accordingto claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of concentric baffles taperfrom a first end to a second end.
 19. The turbomachine system accordingto claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of concentric baffles taperoutwardly from the first end to the second end.
 20. The turbomachinesystem according to claim 16, wherein the co-axial silencer is arrangedin the inlet section.